I am beyond excited to spend forever with my teenage crush, the one who had my heart long before I even understood what love truly meant. I first met Ebi in 2009, during our NECO exams. In the middle of all the stress and seriousness of that season, one moment changed everything for me, the moment I saw her. Something about her stood out in a way I couldn’t explain, and right there, I knew I liked her. Even her cousin, who was my friend, could tell I was completely taken. But as much as I felt it, I didn’t have the courage to approach her. I admired her from a distance, hoping somehow she would notice me too. We always go home together after our exams so we were friends so that was a plus. After the exams, life happened, we lost contact. But I couldn’t let go that easily. I remembered where she lived, and more than once, I found myself standing by her gate, hoping for just one chance to see her again. Unfortunately, that moment never came. Soon after, life took us in different directions; we both traveled out of the country for college, and time kept moving. Years later, when I returned to Nigeria, I reached out to her cousin, still holding on to that small hope of reconnecting with her. But even then, I couldn’t find my way back to Ebi. It seemed like our paths just weren’t meant to cross at least not yet. Then came the day I will never forget, the day destiny stepped in. A cousin of mine mentioned that he was expecting a friend from the U.S. named “Ebi,” and that we should all hang out together. I had no idea that “Ebi” was the same Praise I had been searching for all those years. But the moment I saw her again (she call me Tare love), everything came rushing back the feelings, the memories, the admiration. It was like time had paused just for us, waiting for this very moment. We greeted each other, both surprised. I said, “I didn’t know you as Ebi… so you’re the one my cousin has been talking about?” She smiled and said yes. In that moment, all I could think was, Thank you, God, for bringing her back into my life. This time, we exchanged numbers and started talking again. I told myself I wouldn’t miss my chance twice. I gathered the courage and expressed my feelings but the timing wasn’t right. She asked me to take my time. Though it wasn’t the answer I had hoped for, I respected her, and we drifted into a distant friendship checking in on each other occasionally, but nothing more. After few years, we started getting close. This time, everything felt different. The timing was right, the connection was stronger, and the feelings were undeniable. I asked her out again… and this time, she said yes. And now, here we are. On April 23, 2026, I get to marry the girl I fell in love with as a teenager, the one who unknowingly held my heart through the years, through distance, through missed chances, and through divine timing. This is more than just a love story. This is God’s perfect plan. This is proof that what is meant for you will always find its way back, no matter how long it takes.

I first met Tare back in 2009 during NECO exams, he was my cousin’s friend. My cousin would always tease me, saying, “Tare likes you,” and then ask if I liked him too. I’d smile and say, “Yes… but just as friends,” hiding how I really felt because I was shy and coming from a strict home, dating wasn’t even an option. But somehow, my cousin always knew… and made sure Tare knew too. After our exams, life happened, we lost touch, and I moved to the U.S. for college. Years passed, but somehow, the story wasn’t over yet. In 2016, during Christmas in Nigeria, we reconnected again through a friend. We exchanged numbers, started talking, and even found another connection through his older brother in the U.S. But when he first asked me out, the timing still wasn’t right… so I told him to take his time. Then few years later, on a random day at my uncle’s company end-of-year party, I saw him from across the room and thought, “Is that not Tare?” I waved… and he immediately left his seat to come greet me. Just like that, we connected again like we had never been apart. The very next day, I invited him to my cousin’s older sister’s launch. In the middle of the event, my cousin came to me and said, “So when are you and Tare getting married?” I laughed and said, “Married? We’re not even dating!” He looked at me and said, “Ebi, why are you still playing hard to get? Tare really loves you. He’s just gentle and values your friendship too much to risk it… but I know you like him too. Just give him the green light.” After that conversation… the rest is history. A few years, a few missed moments, and God’s perfect timing later, I realized what my heart had known all along. On our first real date, there was a peace I couldn’t explain. He was gentle, genuine, and intentional… and in that moment, I knew this is the man for me What started as a shy teenage crush turned into something real, steady, and beautifully timed. And now, I get to spend forever with him!